by John Manzi, for the Billings Series

Monticello, NY — It was Miller time again Saturday night (June 20) when the hottest driver currently in amateur racing scored yet another driving victory. It came in a C.K.G. Billings Trot at Tioga Downs when “Hot-Handed Hannah” Miller scored an easy seven length triumph with Jacks To Open in a time of 1:55.2.

After starting from the three hole Miller was content to let Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff and take command on the first turn with Keystone Thomas. Hechkoff then sizzled by the first stanza in :27.3 with Miller’s Jacks To Open close behind.

Keystone Thomas tripped the timer at the halfway mark in :57.1 and as they swept toward the three-quarters Miller moved Jacks To Open off the pylons and the veteran trotter zipped to the front and coasted home an oh-so-easy winner. CSI What’s My Name came from fourth at the head of the lane to finish second for Dave “Steady As” Yarock. Third place went to Insider Access driven by the ultimate Billings traveler, Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford.

“Jack was very good last night and it was made easy for me,” Miller said. “I just followed Heckoff and let his horse cut it. When I pulled him he was fresh and full of trot. I’m not sure if that was my fastest pari-mutuel win but it probably was.”

Miller co-owns Jacks To Open with trainer Nick Surick. For the 5-year-old Conway Hall gelding it was his fourth seasonal triumph. He paid $3.10 for win. Miller’s victory with Jacks To Open was her 17th thus far this year.

Later on the Tioga Downs card Hannah Miller drove against professional drivers when she reined Casanova Lindy to a fourth place finish in a race timed in 1:55.3.

“That was my second start against the professionals,” she said. “I drove at Freehold in a regular race once with Rev It Now. I get more nervous driving against the professionals than I do in the amateur races. And yes it is a little different than the amateur races, but in a good way.”